San Jose will have its first chance to advance to the Western Conference finals on Friday night in Detroit. The Red Wings, facing an 0-3 deficit, need a win to force a Game 5 on Sunday night in San Jose.

“You don’t want them to get any momentum,” Thornton said. “We’re taking the mental attitude that it’s a must-win game.”

Only three teams have rallied from a 0-3 deficit in the playoffs. The 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders are the only NHL teams to win a series after losing the first three games.